Stabilization of Multimeric Enzymes against Heat Inactivation by Chitosan-graft-poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) in Confined Spaces.

The inactivation of multimeric enzymes is a more complicated process compared with that of monomeric enzymes. Stabilization of multimeric enzymes is regarded as a challenge with practical values in enzyme technology. Temperature-sensitive copolymer chitosan-graft- poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) was synthesized and encapsulated with multimeric enzymes in the confined spaces constructed by the W/O microemulsion. In this way, the quaternary structures of multimeric enzymes are stabilized and the thermal stabilities of them are enhanced. The whole process was studied and discussed. This method, which works well for both glucose oxidase and catalase, can be developed as a general protection strategy for multimeric enzymes.